Storm over the Valle Grande at Valle Caldera National Preserve. Courtesy/Jim Stein

By WILLIAM PRIEDHORSKY
Los Alamos Mountaineers

At the Jan. 28 Los Alamos Mountaineers meeting, Jim Stein will talk about photographing the out-of-doors. He writes “In this talk, I will share my approach to photography and showcase a selection of my work. I’ll provide practical tips for capturing landscapes, the night sky, and weather, as well as discuss some of the equipment I rely on. I will also be available to answer any questions the audience may have.”

Stein is a photographer based in northern New Mexico, specializing in landscapes, weather, and the night sky. His passion for photography was sparked as a child, inspired by the vivid images in photo books and National Geographic Magazine. When his parents gave him a small camera more than 40 years ago, he was captivated and never looked back.

After spending years away, he returned to his hometown of Los Alamos in 1999. That’s when he committed to refining his photographic skills. New Mexico’s dramatic landscapes, ever-changing weather, and mesmerizing night skies provide endless inspiration. Few places offer such a perfect convergence of mountains, canyons, deserts and star-filled horizons. Stein’s artistic vision is influenced by a broad appreciation of creative disciplines, including classical paintings, portraiture, abstract art, sculpture, music and architecture. Each has shaped how he approaches photography, guiding him to seek out light, texture, and form in every scene he captures. Ultimately, his goal is to create images that evoke wonder and emotion, offering a fresh perspective on the beauty of the world around us. His work can be explored by visiting his online gallery at www.jimsteinphotography.com.

We welcome all to this Mountaineers’ meeting, on the regular fourth Tuesday of the month. The social hour, with cookies, begins at 6:45 p.m. and the program at 7 p.m.

The presentation will be streamed at Los Alamos Nature Center; the slides will be live-streamed on Zoom. Registration is required to Zoom and recommended for in-person – we would love to see your smiling face. Registration is here.